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Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy Inc

EIN 35-1835491 · Fremont, IN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP LAND CONSERVANCY WORKS TO PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND MANAGE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE WATERSHED AND TOWNSHIP FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Income
$879,672
Spending
$330,243
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
19.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
4
Volunteers
129
Highest pay
$82,450, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 62% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 107% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $116,129 spent. CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP LAND CONSERVANCY (CLTLC) ACTIVELY PRESERVES OVER 145 ACRES OF WETLANDS, WOODLANDS, PRAIRIES, PUBLIC SPACES, STREAM BEDS, AN ISLAND AND A FEN. THE CONSERVANCY HOLDS ONE CONSERVATION EASEMENT. THE NATURE PRESERVES ARE REGULARLY MANAGED AND MAINTAINED THROUGH INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL, NATIVE PLANT REINTRODUCTION, TREE STAND IMPROVEMENTS, TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS, AND GRASS MOWING.
  2. $16,713 spent. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE CONSERVANCY'S CONTINUED GROWTH IS ITS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDED: FOUR KNEE- HIGH NATURALISTS SESSIONS, OUR FUN DAY AND RUN IN JULY, THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT CONSERVATION FIELD DAY FOR STEUBEN COUNTY FOURTH GRADERS, RAPTORS OF INDIANA PRESENTATION, AND PUBLIC MEETINGS UPDATING PROGRESS OF OUR ONGOING WATER QUALITY PROJECTS. THE CLEAR THINKING NEWSLETTER CONTINUES YEARLY TO INFORM AND CONNECT THE CLEAR LAKE COMMUNITY TO THE CONSERVANCY'S MISSION AND PROJECTS YEAR ROUND. APPROXIMATELY 902 COMMUNITY MEMBERS WERE ENGAGED DURING THE YEAR IN EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS.
  3. $105,804 spent. EACH YEAR THE CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP LAND CONSERVANCY CONDUCTS WATER QUALITY MONITORING TO GUIDE WATER QUALITY ENHANCEMENT EFFORTS AND APPROACHES. THE FOUR MAJOR DITCHES FLOWING INTO CLEAR LAKE ARE TESTED WITH THE HELP FROM SEVERAL VOLUNTEERS. DURING THE YEAR, THE CONSERVANCY CONTINUED A WATERSHED DIAGNOSTIC STUDY WHICH ESTABLISHES AN EXTENSIVE DATABASE TO IDENTIFY KEY PROJECTS IMPACTING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE SURROUNDING LAKES AND DITCHES FEEDING THE LAKE. THE GRANT OF 4,000 FROM THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE ASSISTED WITH PROVIDING UP TO 25% COST SHARE TOWARDS RESIDENTIAL GLACIAL STONE SEAWALL INSTALLATIONS. AFTER AN APPLICATION PERIOD AND INTERNAL REVIEW PROCESS, FIVE RESIDENTIAL GLACIAL STONE PROJECTS RECEIVED THE 25% COST SHARE. GLACIAL STONES ABSORB WAVE ENERGY, REDUCE EROSION, AND PROTECT SENSITIVE HABITATS. EACH YEAR THE CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP LAND CONSERVANCY CONDUCTS WATER QUALITY MONITORING TO GUIDE WATER QUALITY ENHANCEMENT EFFORTS AND APPROACHES. THE FOUR MAJOR DITCHES FLOWING INTO CLEAR LAKE ARE TESTED WITH THE HELP FROM SEVERAL VOLUNTEERS. DURING THE YEAR, THE CONSERVANCY CONTINUED A WATERSHED DIAGNOSTIC STUDY WHICH ESTABLISHES AN EXTENSIVE DATABASE TO IDENTIFY KEY PROJECTS IMPACTING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE SURROUNDING LAKES AND DITCHES FEEDING THE LAKE. THE GRANT OF 4,000 FROM THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE ASSISTED WITH PROVIDING UP TO 25% COST SHARE TOWARDS RESIDENTIAL GLACIAL STONE SEAWALL INSTALLATIONS. AFTER AN APPLICATION PERIOD AND INTERNAL REVIEW PROCESS, FIVE RESIDENTIAL GLACIAL STONE PROJECTS RECEIVED THE 25% COST SHARE. GLACIAL STONES ABSORB WAVE ENERGY, REDUCE EROSION, AND PROTECT SENSITIVE HABITATS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1992.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.